Traffic pattern change for Airport Road tunnel

A contractor for the airport began work Thursday morning on one lane of the tunnel under the runaway at the Roanoke Regional Aiport.

The work on the northbound tunnel is expected to last about four months.

Here is the full news release:

ROANOKE VA - The tunnel on Airport Road will be undergoing routine maintenance and cleaning beginning Thursday, May 6, 2010. The northbound tunnel (which heads towards Peters Creek Road) lane will be blocked off and the southbound lane (which heads towards Williamson Road) will be routed to accommodate two-way traffic for approximately 60 days; after completion of the northbound side, the southbound tunnel lane will be blocked and the northbound lane will be routed to accommodate two-way traffic. The entire project is expected to take approximately 120 days.